Preserving and Presenting the History of Northeast Philadelphia since 1905

(One block west of Frankford Avenue between Margaret and Church Elevated stops)

Raise one up for Kensington, Frankford and Bridesburg – three industrial “River Wards” where breweries large and small quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world! Brewing was yet another industry in these Northeast neighborhoods that practically gave them the distinction of being “Workshops of the World.” Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last of the city’s breweries to close while the breweries of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. And while the Erdrich brewery started in Bridesburg, it later moved into a large modern facility in Frankford. The good news is that brewing has returned to Kensington in the form of Philadelphia Brewing Company, a proud supporter of the community.

Rich Wagner has been researching the history of the brewing industry in Pennsylvania since 1980 and began homebrewing in 1983. He has interviewed people with long careers in the brewing industry and collected an impressive amount of information and photographic documentation of Pennsylvania’s rich brewing heritage. In 1990 he interpreted the brewing process at Pennsbury Manor using reproductions of colonial brewing equipment. Three years later, he created his own equipment and has demonstrated colonial brewing from coast to coast. He earned a Diploma in Brewing Technology from Chicago’s Siebel Institute and spent seven years working in Philadelphia’s craft breweries. He is a regular contributor to Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, the American Breweriana Journal and numerous other publications. He is currently the Secretary/Membership Chair Phila – Master Brewers Association of the Americas (http://www.mbaa.com/Districts/Philadelphia/default.htm).

Students, researchers, historians, genealogists, and all others invited. The monthly program meetings are held at the Historical Society of Frankford’s 1930 building, housing its Library and Museum. Enjoy the Society’s collections and exhibitions and learn something new each month. Following each program, light refreshments are served so participants and presenters can refresh and exchange ideas. Members free; Others $5.00